Tent



July 1967 A. A. LYYTIKAINEN 3,333,376

TENT

Filed Aug. '10, 1965 INVENTOR. Jam/WWW BY LM f- And 7 United StatesPatent 6 Claims. c1. 135-3 The present invention relates to tents ingeneral, and more particularly to an improved skeleton structure fortents. Still more partciularly, the invention relates to an improvedconnecting and tilting or flexing structure for the upper end portionsof tent poles or ribs.

Camping tents and many other types of tents are normally provided with askeleton structure or frame which comprises elastically deformable tentpoles or ribs consisting of wood, metal or plastic. Depending on theshape of the tent, two or more arcuate or straight tent poles or ribsare assembled into a skeleton frame which may be deformed to therebyexpand the canvas into the form of a dome, cupola or the like. The lowerend portions of the poles are anchored adjacent to the lower edge of thecanvas, and the upper end portions of the poles are bent pairwise towardeach other prior to being coupled by means of bolts or similardetachable fasteners. Proper manipulation of such fasteners requiresskill and consumes much time, especially when the tent is to be erectedat a camping site or the like. Also, flexing of the upper end portionsof tent poles requires considerable force. The situation is furtheraggravated when the skeleton structure comprises a large number of tentpoles and when the poles are long.

Accordingly, it is an important object of the present invention toprovide a very simple, readily collapsible and easy-to-manipulateskeleton structure for domeshaped camping tents and the like, and toconstruct the skeleton structure in such a way that its tent poles orribs may be flexed or tilted in a single operation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel connectionfor the upper end portions of two or more tent poles.

A further object of the invention is to provide a connection wherein themanipulation of a single element suffices to effect flexing or tiltingof tent poles for the purpose of erecting or collapsing a skeletonstructure.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a connection whichis capable of automatically flexing or tilting all of the te t poles tothe same extent or which can selectively til one or more tent poles to adifferent extent than the emaining pole or poles.

Still another bject of the present invention is to provide, a skele 0structure of the above outlined characteristics wlrerein the flexing orunflexing of tent poles may be brought about by resorting to a verysimple tool.

A concomitant object of the invention is to provide a tent whichembodies a skeleton structure of the above outlined characteristics andwherein the connection between the upper end portions of assembled tentpoles may be applied or removed either from below, i.e., from theinterior of the tent, or from above, depending on the overall height ofthe skeleton structure and on the height of the person in charge.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a skeleton structurewhich may comprise straight or arcuate tent poles, which may comprise atotal of two poles or three or more poles, and which is of theself-locking type so that the connection between the upper end portionsof the tent poles cannot be terminated accidentally against the will ofthe occupants.

Another object of the invention is to provide a skeleton structure whichcan be very rapidly assembled or taken apart, wherein the connectionbetween the upper end portions of the tent poles is of very simple,inexpensive and compact design so that it occupies little room duringtransportation to a different camping site, wherein the tent poles maybe assembled or detached independently of each other, and wherein theconnection simultaneously assists in preventing water from enteringthrough the apex of the fully assembled tent.

Briefly stated, one feature of my present invention resides in theprovision of a skeleton structure which is particularly suited for usein dome-shaped tents with arcuate tent poles or ribs consisting ofelastically deformable material. The skeleton structure comprises aplurality of tent poles the lower end portions of which may be securedin or to the ground at a camping site, hollow supporting means having asubstantially vertical axis and including fulcrum means removablyreceiving the tent poles in such a way that the upper end portion ofeach pole extends into the interior of the supporting means, andtensioning means mounted on the supporting means and arranged to tiltthe poles with reference to the fulcrum means. The tensioning meanscomprises motion transmitting means arranged to engage the upper endportions of the poles, and means for shifting the motion transmittingmeans in the axial direction of the supporting means whereby anintermediate portion of each pole is tilted with reference to thefulcrum means to thereby stretch the canvas when the motion transmittingmeans moves in one direction and to reduce the tension upon the canvaswhen the motion transmitting means is shifted in the other direction.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic of theinvention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. Theimproved skeleton structure itself, however, both as to its constructionand the mode of assembling and manipulating the same, together withadditional features and advantages thereof, will be best understood uponperusal of the following detailed description of certain specificembodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a connection for the upper endportions of tent poles, further showing one of the tent poles and a toolwhich is used to eifect axial movements of the motion transmittingmember with reference to the supporting means, certain parts of theconnection being shown in section;

FIG. 2 is a similar side elevational view of the connection showing oneof the tent poles in tilted or flexed position and the tool in aposition in which it may serve as a flagstalf;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of modified motion transmitting means;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side elevational view of modified supportingmeans; and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary axial section through a further connectionwherein the device for shifting the motion transmitting means may bemanipulated from the interior of the tent.

Referring first to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a portion of a skeletonstructure or frame which may be utilized to support and to expand acanvas (not shown) in such a way that the canvas preferably resembles acupola or dome. The skeleton structure comprises two or more arcuatetent poles or ribs 10 (only one shown) preferably consisting ofelastically deformable material and having their lower end portionssecured in or to the ground in a manner not forming part of the presentinvention. Each tent pole 10 may consist of wood, metal, plastic oranother suitable elastically deformable material so that it can beflexed in response to movement of its upper 3 end portion a in adownward direction, as viewed in FIG. 1.

The skeleton structure further comprises a novel connection for theupper end portions 10a of the tent poles, and this connection includes arigid metallic main supporting member here shown in the form of a hollowsubstantially frustoconical body 1 having an annular central portion ortop portion 1a and a fulcrum or skirt 1b, the latter divergingdownwardly and outwardly from the central portion 1a. The skirt 1b isprovided with a series of suitably distributed apertures or slots 9 eachof which may receive one of the poles 10 in such a way that the endportion 10a extends beyond the respective aperture 9 and into theinterior of the hollow supporting member 1. When the supporting member 1moves up or down, as indicated by a double-headed :arrow 1c, the poles10 will be tilted about the lower or upper surfaces bounding therespective apertures 9 whereby the poles may be flexed to a desireddegree so as to bring about requisite stretching of the canvas whichsurrounds the skeleton structure.

The tensioning means for the poles 10 comprise a substantiallycup-shaped motion transmitting member or gripper 8 which is located inthe interior of the skirt 1b and engages the end portions 10a. Thismember 8 is rigidly secured to the lower end portion of a verticallyextending spindle 2 whose threads 6 mesh with internal threads providedin the spindle nut 3. The latter is coaxially and rotatably mounted inthe central portion 1a of the supporting member 1 which central portionholds the nut 3 against axial movement. Thus, when the nut 3 is rotatedby means of a suitable tool 4, and when the end portions 10a hold thespindle 2 against rotation with reference to the supporting member 1,the spindle will move axially up or down (arrow 10), depend-ing on thedirection in which the nut 3 rotates, and will thereby cause the poles10 to tilt with reference to the skirt 1b. It is clear that the threads6 may but need not extend all the way between the ends of the spindle 2.

The lower edge portion of the cupped motion transmitting member 8 isprovided with a series of suitably distributed relatively shallowrecesses or notches 11 each of which may receive one end portion 10a tothus prevent rotation of the member 8 in response to rotation of the nut3. The notches 11 also insure that the end portions 10a cannot swinglaterally, i.e., that the end port-ions extend substantially radiallywith reference to the vertical axis of the supporting member 1. All ofthe notches 11 need not be of the same depth so that, when the spindle 2moves downwardly, as viewed in FIG. 1, certain poles 10 will be flexedearlier than the remaining poles. This is important in certain types oftents wherein the skeleton structure comprises two or more sets of polesand wherein each set of poles must be tilted or flexed to a differentdegree. For example, the shallower recesses 111 of the member 108 shownin FIG. 3 will receive the end portions of main tent poles whereas thedeeper recesses 111a receive the end portions of auxiliary poles whichmust be flexed to a lesser degree than the main poles. The poles whoseend portions 10a extend into shallower recesses 111 may be tilted tosuch a degree that each thereof extends at right angles to the axis ofthe spindle 2. Furthermore, the supporting member 1 may carry two ormore motion transmitting members each of which can tilt one or morepoles.

The tool 4 resembles a wrench and is provided with a non-circular cutoutor opening 4a (see FIG. 2) which may receive a complementary portion 3aof the spindle nut 3 so that the nut must rotate when the tool isapplied in a manner as shown in FIG. 1 and is turned about the verticalaxis of the supporting member 1. In accordance with an optional buthighly advantageous feature of my invention, the top portion of thespindle 2 may be provided with a diametral slot 2a which can receive aflat tongue or lug 5 at the front end of the tool 4 so that, when thelug 5 extends into the slot 2a, the tool 4 extends vertically upwardlyand its rear end portion 7 may carry a flag or banner. Another advantageof the tool 4 is that, when attached to the spindle 2, it is alwaysready and close at hand so that the person in charge need not look forthe tool when he or she desires to take the skeleton structure apart fortransport to another camping site.

FIG. 2 illustrates the skeleton structure in fully assembled conditionwith the tool 4 extending vertically upwardly so that its rear endportion 7 may carry a flag or the like, not shown. It will be seen thatthe tent pole 10 of FIG. 2 is tilted in a clockwise direction withreference to the position of FIG. 1 so that the canvas which is engagedby a median portion of the pole 10 is caused to assume a desired shape,for example, the shape of a cupola or dome.

It is clear that the connection shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is equally usefulfor assembling a skeleton frame which comprises straight tent poles andthat the connection may be used in skeleton structures which compriseonly two tent poles or three or more poles. Also, the poles may behollow or solid and each thereof may have a circular, oval or polygonalcross section.

In erecting the skeleton structure, the person in charge secures thelower end portions of the poles 10 to the ground and to the lower edgeof the canvas. The upper end portions 10a are introduced through theapertures 9 and into the respective notches 11 so that the motiontransmitting member 8 is held against rotation and simultaneouslyprevents rotation of the spindle 2. At the same time, the poles 10 holdthe skirt 1b against rotation about the axis of the supporting member 1.The operator then rotates the nut 3 in a sense to move the spindle 2downwardly, as viewed in FIG. 1, whereby the motion transmitting member8 moves away from the central portion 1a and tilts the poles 10 withreference to the skirt 112. It will be seen that the skirt 1bconstitutes a fulcrum or pivot for the poles 10 and cooperates with themember 8 to flex the poles with simultaneous stretching of the canvas.The end portions 10a may be withdrawn from the slots 9 as soon as thenut 3 is rotated to move the member 8 back to the axial position of FIG.1.

The motion transmitting member 8 may be reciprocated by resorting todevices other than the spindle 2 and nut 3. For example, one can resortto a lever, to an eccentric or the like.

FIG. 4 illustrates a further modification according to which the skirt2011) of a supporting member 201 is connected with the central portion20111 by means of spokes 201d and wherein the area of each aperture 209may be varied by an adjusting member 201e which is adjustably secured tothe skirt 20111 by bolts 201 extending through elongated slots 201g. Thearrangement of FIG. 4 brings about similar advantages as the arrangementshown in FIG. 3, i.e., the initial position of the poles 10 may bevaried so that certain poles will be flexed to a different extent thanthe remaining poles. The adjusting members 201:; may be used with equaladvantage on the motion transmitting member 8 or 108 to change the depthof the notches 11, 111 and/or 111a. Also, such adjusting members may beattached to the central portion 201a.

Finally, it is equally possible to construct the nut in such a way thatit may be rotated from the underside of the central portion 1a, i.e.,from the interior of the tent. This is of particular advantage when thetent is high. All that is necessary is to provide the nut 303, see FIG.5, with a non-circular portion 303a (corresponding to the portion 3a)which is located at a level below the central portion 1a of thesupporting member 1.

A very important advantage of all embodiments of my improved skeletonstructure is that the upper end portions 10a of the poles 10 need not beconnected to each other and that such upper end portions may be insertedinto the respective apertures 9 one after the other, rather than inpairs. Also, all of the poles can be tilted and flexed or unflexed in asimultaneous operation and in response to the application of arelatively small force, especially if the tool 4 is rather long.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist ofthe present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge,readily adapt it for various applications without omitting featureswhich fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic andspecific aspects of my contribution to the art and, therefore, suchadaptations should and are intended to be compre hended within themeaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is:

1. In a tent, particularly in a dome-shaped tent, a skeleton structurecomprising at least two poles each having an upper end portion; a hollowsubstantially frustoconical supporting member having a substantiallyvertical axis and including a smaller-diameter central portion at theupper end thereof and an outwardly and downwardly diverging skirtprovided with a plurality of apertures receiving said poles so that theupper end portions of the poles extend into the interior of said skirt;and tensioning means for tilting said poles with reference to saidskirt, said tensioning means comprising a cupped motion transmittingmember having an edge portion provided with recesses for the upper endportions of said poles, a spindle nut rotatably mounted in said centralportion, and a spindle meshing with said nut and fixed to said motiontransmitting member so that, when the nut is rotated with reference tosaid supporting member, the motion transmitting member moves axially andtilts the poles with reference to said skirt.

2. A skeleton structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein said recessesinclude recesses of greater and lesser depth.

3. In a tent, particularly in a dome-shaped tent, a skeleton structurecomprising at least two tent poles having lower end portions which maybe attached to the ground and upper end portions; hollow supportingmeans having a substantially vertical axis and including fulcrum meansprovided with apertures removably receiving said poles so that the upperend portion of each pole extends into the interior of said supportingmeans; tensioning means mounted on said supporting means and includingmotion transmitting means comprising a cupped member having a lower edgeportion provided with recesses receiving the upper end portions of saidpoles from above and means for shifting said motion transmitting meansin the axial direction of said supporting means whereby the poles aretilted with reference to said fulcrum means when the motion transmittingmeans moves downwardly.

4. A skeleton structure as set forth in claim 3, further comprisingmeans for adjusting the areas of said apertures to thereby change theinitial position of said upper end portions with reference to the axisof said supporting means.

5. A skeleton structure as set forth in claim 3, wherein said recessesinclude recesses of lesser and greater depth so that the inclination ofan upper end portion which-extends into a shallower recess is differentfrom the inclination of an upper end portion which extends into a deeperrecess.

6. In a tent, particularly in a dome-shaped tent, a skeleton structurecomprising at least two tent poles having lower end portions which maybe attached to the ground and upper end portions; hollow supportingmeans having a substantially vertical axis and including a centralportion, an annular skirt located at a level below said central portion,and spokes connecting said central portion with said skirt, said spokesdefining between themselves a plurality of apertures removably receivingsaid poles so that the upper end portion of each pole extends into theinterior of said supporting means; and tensioning means mounted on saidcentral portion and including motion transmitting means engaging saidend portions from above and means for shifting said motion transmittingmeans in the axial direction of said supporting means whereby the polesare tilted with reference to said skirt when the motion transmittingmeans moves downwardly and away from said central portion.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,184,764 5/1916 Marsh 81,546,222 7/1925 Finlay 135-3 1,995,489 3/1935 Valasek 1351 2,425,2798/1947 Harris 135-4 3,054,413 9/1962 Eshelman o 1354 3,269,398 8/1966Holbitz 1353 FOREIGN PATENTS 732,709 6/1955 Great Britain.

DAVID J. WILLIAMOWSKY, Primary Examiner. REINALDO P. MACHADO, Examiner.P. M. CAUN, Assistant Examiner.

1. IN A TENT, PARTICULARLY IN A DOME-SHAPED TENT, A SKELETON STRUCTURECOMPRISING AT LEAST TWO POLES EACH HAVING AN UPPER END PORTION; A HOLLOWSUBSTANTIALLY FRUSTOCONICAL SUPPORTING MEMBER HAVING A SUBSTANTIALLYVERTICAL AXIS AND INCLUDING A SMALLER-DIAMETER CENTRAL PORTION AT THEUPPER END THEREOF AND AN OUTWARDLY AND DOWNWARDLY DIVERGING SKIRTPROVIDED WITH A PLURALITY OF APERTURES RECEIVING SAID POLES SO THAT THEUPPER END PORTIONS OF THE POLES EXTEND INTO THE INTERIOR OF SAID SKIRT;AND TENSIONING MEANS FOR TILTING SAID POLES WITH REFERENCE TO SAIDSKIRT, SAID TENSIONING MEANS COMPRISING A CUPPED MOTION TRANSMITTINGMEMBER HAVING AN EDGE PORTION PROVIDED WITH RECESSES FOR THE UPPER ENDPORTIONS OF SAID POLES, A SPINDLE NUT ROTATABLY MOUNTED IN SAID CENTRALPORTION, AND A SPINDLE MESHING WITH SAID NUT AND FIXED TO SAID MOTIONTRANSMITTING MEMBER SO THAT, WHEN THE NUT IS ROTATED WITH REFERENCE TOSAID SUPPORTING MEMBER, THE MOTION TRANSMITTING MEMBER MOVES AXIALLY ANDTILTS THE POLES WITH REFERENCE TO SAID SKIRT.